Trade Secrets: Food & Drink

Serve up the best B&B breakfast

If there’s one thing and one thing alone which will have your guests singing your praises and rushing back to book another stay, it’s the breakfast you serve them. Whether your guests are going walking or just planning on some serious relaxation, they’ll need to start their day as they mean to go on – a good quality breakfast is a perfect start to any day, whatever your plans.

1. Mouth-watering menus

On a getaway from normal life, guests absolutely love a variety of options when it comes to breakfast time. Whilst the staples of orange juice, cereals, fruit and a good old-fashioned full English breakfast still remain, providing a variety of alternatives will put a dash of excitement into their breakfast! You could even put your own spin on the classics and make them your signature breakfasts. For advice, read our guide on creating signature dishes.

Give your treasured guests the option of other fruit juices in addition to a classic glass of OJ, and don’t be afraid to go continental either. Croissants, pains au chocolat and other tasty pastries will also go down a treat, especially with younger children.

Also worth considering are à la carte options. Guests’ eyes will light up at the prospect of being able to order the likes of eggs benedict and avocado on toat. If they’re staying for a few days, they might want to mix it up a little, with a traditional English breakfast one day and an omelette the next.

2. Bespoke breakfasts

Choice can be extended beyond the menu itself – how do the guests take their eggs for example – poached, scrambled or fried? Guests love ordering a fry up and specifying how they would like their eggs cooked. Whether they’d prefer sunny-side up or over-easy, your wish is their command!

Some guests like to have maximum privacy, and might even want breakfast in bed. Should you decide to offer this, you won’t lose out on any guests wanting to have a little extra privacy, and the majority of guests will happily pay a little extra to enjoy this extra slice of luxury.

But no matter where your guests would like to eat, or indeed what they would like to eat, the ingredients you use are of paramount importance. You might be able to save money by stocking your fridge with your local supermarket’s basic range but your guests will be savvy enough to realise this.

You might think – and you’d be right – that treating your guests to more luxury items will put more of a dent into your budget. But quality ingredients will get your guests singing your praises, both online and to their friends. Glowing TripAdvisor reviews and word of mouth recommendations will prove to be more lucrative for you in the long run, and it’s often the little things that make a big difference.

3. Dressing the room

Whether you’re into Feng Shui or not, it’s important to give some thought to the layout of your room. Your breakfast room should be inviting, with tables to accommodate parties both large and small. A jug of iced water placed on the table is always a hit with visitors and flowers will make the room feel fresh.

A good selection of the latest newspapers and magazines will also be appreciated. Although guests here are on holiday, many love to keep in the loop about what’s coming out of 10 Downing Street and the ‘real world’.

If you need to reuse tables, make sure you have a system in place to tidy up quickly after each guest – no one wants to sit down to a pile of crumbs on their breakfast table!

4. Benefits for your staff

Of course, you want to give your guests a great breakfast to add to their stay but the routine of serving breakfast can have its advantages for you too. The process of serving up scrumptious dishes, tidying up and relaying the table is one that can constantly be streamlined – ensuring your staff master this routine. This saves guests waiting too long for their food too. Serving up daily meals also allows your chef to practice his or her dishes time and time again – after all, practice makes perfect!